Spare A Thought  Spare a thought for someone who may live close to you Perhaps they’re old, or housebound, or don’t know what to do! I know you can’t go near them but a friendly call Will show them that somebody cares if they should stand or fall! Volunteer to do a shop or maybe pause and chat Or stand as good companion and talk of this and that. Spare a thought for relatives you cannot go and see A call upon your cellphone you can make for free. Technology is such that you can now be seen As well as being listened to on that tiny screen! Then there’s text or WhatsApp to use to keep in touch Or like me you can use Facebook (perhaps a little much)! In this time of trouble no one should feel alone While you can call or contact on your little phone. ReplyForward

The Heron

I stood and watched a heron on a prefect spring time morn

It was just so graceful that I could not feel forlorn!

Not a feather flickered as his eyes looked for his prey

If a fish would come in view, it would not get away!

There he stood with patience, he only had to wait

Like a human fisherman but with no need for bait!

He waits for his dinner for however long he must.

That he will be satisfied he just takes on trust.

Then I think of humans champing on the bit

When, in a deadly crisis, they’ve been told “just sit”!

Just a few short weeks to stay in comfy isolation 

To do your bit to help to solve a problem in our nation.

Come on! It isn’t much to ask for you to do your part

All your friends and loved ones are still held in your heart!

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Smile And Greet

Stay apart two metres is what the experts say

When you go for exercise on a sunny day.

We ventured out complying with this sensible advice

For as a change from housebound it was very nice.

Everyone encountered skirted us around 

But lots of friendly smiles and greetings did abound.

We’re all in this together so each man is your friend

While we’re isolated till this scare will end.

Thank God we can be pleasant and share each other’s load

As we go together on this weary road.

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My Mum

I remember Mummy on this Mother’s Day 

Though it is quite long ago since she passed away.

It was her love of poetry that filled my soul with rhymes 

And her resolution which brought us through hard times.

Her youngest hardly breathing, two other kids to rear

Her mum and husband very ill. She had much need to fear.

She just rolled her sleeves up and got on with her task

Though it must have seemed to her it was too much to ask!

Then my father died when I was only five

She resolved to bring her kids up as if he were alive!

We would not lack for anything though she had to slave

It’s my abiding memory of the love she gave.

So raise a glass to mothers, give them a special treat.

For their special love for us would be hard to beat!

Boredom I have no time for boredom even when alone I play on my computer or even on my phone! I like to use my brain you see just to prove I can Then I can write poems to bore my fellow man! The world is full of knowledge that I can draw upon And some internet browsing can be a marathon. I sing a song within my brain or even right out loud I find the melody can chase every threat’ning cloud. I may not run around a court or hit a little ball But I have lots of memories (those I can recall!). I am very fortunate I don’t live on my own I have my wife her with me when I want to moan! She will quickly put me right of that there is no doubt On the minor inconvenience of not going out! ReplyForward

Responsibility  So you think it’s only man flu that’s knocking you about? Any cold or flu symptoms are a cause for doubt. Corona is a virus like the common cold or flu How it shows its symptoms depends so much on you! My response is very much my own and we are not the same. Your genetic make up may play a different game! It’s your responsibility to keep it to yourself  Even if it is to mean a few weeks on the shelf. I’m sure your friends will help you if you make a call But spare a thought for neighbours who have no one at all. A knock at the door, a ring of the bell May just save somebody who’s in a living hell. We’re in this thing together and I long to see That we will all survive it by being neighbourly! ReplyForward

Playing Sport Of course I have had injuries which meant I couldn’t play And I needed something to while away my day! I could go and watch my mates running round a court But it was no substitute. I enjoy playing sport. I am not a watcher, though of course I watch TV But in this current climate there is no sport to see! My week was filled with playing lots of different games With loads of other people though I do forget their names! I am very fortunate with my wife to keep me sane We can be together, which I can count as gain! We can go to formal gardens for a little walk  Or sit together comfortably for a good old talk. We can play our board games or have a good old read And do the decorating, which has been decreed! I go to church each morning to have a little pray That God in His mercy will take this plague away. I pray, for those who’re on their own, that they can get aid. And, instead of panic, love could be displayed! ReplyForward

I Can’t Blame The Devil

I can’t blame the devil for the wrong things that I do,

It’s my personality and human nature too!

I’m the one who chooses to do things out of greed

Or envy, or just spitefulness, to do the nasty deed!

I’m the one who’s lazy and can lose my cool

Or do the things I shouldn’t acting like a fool.

God help me, a sinner, do the things I ought

And grant the forgiveness which I’ve often sought!

Everything Is Cancelled 

Everything is cancelled. What are we to do?

Theatres, and restaurants closed and even churches too!

All as a precaution to try to slow the spread 

Of the Corona Virus the government has said.

Non essential travel and meetings with a crowd

All should be discouraged, even if allowed.

We should keep our distance from anyone we meet

Be that in supermarkets or walking in the street.

It’s our responsibility to do whate’er we can

To stop the virus getting to our fellow man!

It’s all about resources in the NHS.

If we don’t delay the spread they’ll be in a mess.

Each must search their conscience for what they do today

Until this ruddy virus is seen to go away!

Tough Love 

Every loving parent wants to keep their child from harm

Even though their children try to wheedle and to charm!

You wouldn’t allow a child of yours to run across a street,

Or go outside without a coat in rain or snow or sleet!

They stamp their feet and mutter that it isn’t fair

They would be allowed to by parents if they care!

All of us have been there as a parent or a child.

We have had the tough love to stop us running wild!

It’s the same with praying to the one who knows. 

He knows what is best to save us from life’s blows.

We are all quite used to tough love from above.

But now our children censure us in the name of love!

Both my daughters told me off just the other day,

When I had insisted on having my own way!

They were showing tough love and they were quite right.

For they had my interest fully in their sight.

I have learned a lesson. It isn’t “Dad knows best”.

Sometimes you must listen to those you have caressed!